The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-21
FORGED LETTERS.

fUhG6U LEII6hS.
There is a striking similarity between the
of the Parnell letter published
by the London Times and those of the Morey
Garfield letter which figured so prominently
in our campaign of 1880. Both letters were
brought out at critical juncture, the Morey
letter few days before presidential election
and the Parnell letter ON the eve of an inn
portant vote in the House Of Commons. Both
were sensational in character the Morey let
ter relating to Chinese immigration, then q
burning topic with US. and the Parnell letter on
the Hyde Park assassination, which shocked
the civilized world Both were carefully
worded and not overdrawn-one might say
they were artistically constructed. Both bore
signature which, at first sight, puzzled the
owners to say whether it was genuine or not.
In the case of the Morey letter. General Gar
field at once denounced it as forgery, but a
fac simile of the manuscript having been
printed, prominent member of the Demo
cratic national committee, who claimed to
be familiar with General Garield's hand
writing, publicly expressed the opinion
that it was genuine. With many this
opinion outweighed Garfelds denial.
The forgery was widely circulated by the
Democratic committee and press, and was
worked for all it, was worth. Eventually it
was proved, in judicial investigation, that
there was no such person as H. l.. Morey, to
whom the letter purported to be ad-
dressed, and other evidence tended plainly to
show that the letter had been concocted and
forged for political effect. One witness who
testified to the genuineness of the letter was
convicted of perjury and sentenced to eight
years Imprisonment The Parnell letter
sensation has not got so far along. Mr.. Par
nell has publicly denounced it as forgery,
and pointed out the discrepancies in the
signature; but the Times continues to as
sert its genuineness, and challenges judi
cial investigation. So great a journal could
not do less No doubt Mr. Parnell is right.
The letter is undoubtedly forgery; but he
may find it difficult to prove it, and thou
sands of people who swear by the Times may
remain convinced that the letter is genuine.
Experts have been called to testify as to the
genuineness of the signature. This seems
time and again that so-called ex-
pert testimony in regard, to handwriting
is wholly unreliable. Certainly no other per-
son is so competent judge as to the genuine
ness of mans signature as himself. and his
decision should be conclusive, unless it is in
tended to impeach his veracity. Besides, he
has the additional advantage of knowing
whether he ever entertained or expressed the
sentiments imputed to him-whether he ever
wrote or signed such q letter. Nothing could
be more positive or conclusive than Mr.. Par
nelrs denial. It covers the whole case and
every point in the case. In his Indignation
he even exclaimed in the House of Commons:
Had been in the park that day I would
have gladly stood between the daggers of the
assassins and Lord Frederick Cavendish."
There were loud cries of land Burke" and he
went on: "Aye. and for the matter of that,
between Mr.. Burke and them, too"
This means that Mr.. Parnell, in common
with the rest of the civilized world, was
shocked by the assassinations, and that he
never entertained the sentiments of mild dis
approval,an polite censure attributed to him
by the Times's letter. The letter is undoubt-
edly forgery-an attack OH Mr.. Parnell as
cowardly and malicious as the assassinations
it refers to. Whether he will be able to prove
the forgery remains to be seen. The Times
is very powerful and its resources are almost
unlimited. Mr.. Parnell is an Irishman, and
will have to make his fight on English sol
and in English courts, with all the odds
against him. The letter will serve as a cam
paign lie, as the Morey letter did, but Par
nell will doubtless triumph in the end, az
Garfield did. 1t would however, be par
ticularly great victory for him and for the
cause ne represents if he could make The
London Times retract and apologize for the
letter. The spectacle of the Thunderer eating
humble pie would seem to make life worth
| living.